We’re down to just eight teams remaining in the 2017 NFL Playoffs, but thankfully, we get the same number of games this week as we did last week. This four-game slot features some much tougher defenses, however, making some fantasy football projections tough to predict. We had some pretty good outcomes though, outside of a couple misses, for Wild Card weekend. Let’s see how well we project this week for the Divisional Round.
The Gamefly DraftKings GPP Plays for Divisional Round
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady (NE) vs. TEN $7,000Â
For the second straight week I’m going with the top rated quarterback of the week. I had higher hopes for Jared Goff and the Rams last week, but I’m more than confident that Tom Brady will deliver against a Titans team that has people wondering why they’re still here. The MVP candidate hasn’t had the most consistent fantasy season by any means, but I’m willing to bet he comes through in a big way against Tennessee’s weak pass defense in this all-important game.
Matt Ryan (ATL) @ PHI $5,700
Matt Ryan has not even come close to sniffing the type of player he was last season, but he still has the Falcons just two games away from heading back to the Super Bowl. As far as fantasy quarterbacks go, Ryan was a bust this season. He’s benefited from having the excellent running back duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, which has really taken a load off of Ryan’s shoulders.
The Eagles defense, however, ranks as one of the best in the league against the run. Against the passing game is where they are really vulnerable. Ryan hasn’t had a multi-touchdown game since Week 11 against Seattle, but he may need to do so this week if the Falcons want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Other Notables: Case Keenum (MIN) vs. NO $6,100
Running Backs
Leonard Fournette (JAX) @ PIT $6,900
Fournette has quieted down some since his red hot start to the season, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been effective. He’s battled some injuries throughout the year, but when he’s played, Fournette has maintained relatively consistent production. Fournette looked a bit sluggish against Buffalo, but now he gets to square up against the same Steelers defense that he ran all over back in Week 5.
It was Fournette’s most productive game of the season, rushing for 181 yards on the ground. That’s nearly double Blake Bortles‘ passing yards from that day. The Steelers defense just does not look the same without Ryan Shazier, and teams have shown their ability to run against them, putting Fournette in the spot for a highly productive day.
Dion Lewis (NE) vs. TEN $6,600
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Dion Lewis has been an absolute stud with Rex Burkhead on the sidelines, and if reports from the Patriots practice sessions are accurate, there’s a strong chance that Burkhead will miss again this week. The Titans defense is relatively strong against opposing backs, but the Patriots are sure to have a solid game-plan that still involves a high dose of Lewis. His ability as a receiver always makes him an intriguing option on DraftKings, and the fact that he’s averaged 30 touches in the Patriots last two games, makes him a solid play once again this week.
Other Notables: Derrick Henry (TEN) @ NE $7,300
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs (MIN) vs. NO $6,200
You really could go either way with Diggs or Adam Thielen from the Vikings, but I prefer Diggs at the much cheaper rate here. Plus, he’s been the more consistent of the two as of late. Inserting both in lineups is not out of the question either seeing as how they each recorded 27.7 fantasy points against this Saints team all the way back in Week 1. New Orleans defense has been much more stellar since then, but offenses have been successful in putting up points, and creating big plays against them as of late.
Mohamed Sanu (ATL) @ PHI $5,700
Sanu doesn’t have the greatest ceiling in the world, but options are limited in a four-game slate, and this doesn’t appear to be the best week for wideouts on paper. In order for Sanu to exceed his value, he typically needs to get in the end zone, as he’s not going to make 9-10 receptions up and down the field like Julio Jones. But because I have faith in Matt Ryan‘s success this week, it also makes me feel optimistic about Sanu. I have a good feeling Sanu finds the end zone this week, resulting in a high quality production game for the sixth-year veteran.
Other Notables: Brandin Cooks (NE) vs. TEN $7,000
Tight Ends
Delanie Walker (TEN) @ NE $5,000
With the top rated tight end in the best matchup, I’m doing all I can to insert Rob Gronkowski into my lineups, but I wouldn’t go any further down the line than Walker. Walker is also in a favorable matchup, with the idea that the Titans will fall behind quickly, and attempt to get back in the game through the air. Despite their acquisitions and top draft choices at wide receiver, Walker continues to remain the Titan’s most consistent receiver. I wouldn’t expect that to change come Saturday night.
Defense
New England vs. TEN $3,200
I get that it may look as though I’m heavy on the Patriots this week, but that’s because I am. The Titans are a bad team that have benefited from a weak AFC Conference this season, and it’s a wonder how they’ve managed to win 10 games, including last week’s upset victory over the Chiefs. That’s all expected to come to an end this week, and if history tells us anything, this should be a blowout right out the gate. The Patriots defense will be fired up after resting last week. The opportunities could be endless for New England’s pass rushers to get to Marcus Mariota, and turnovers are nearly a certainty in a New England home game.
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